China to Send Pakistan Astronaut on Short-Term Space Mission

China announces plans to include a Pakistani astronaut in upcoming Tiangong space station missions. The astronaut will train alongside Chinese crew, marking Pakistan’s first step into human spaceflight and a new era of Pak-China space cooperation.

Beijing, October 30, 2025 — China has announced plans to include a Pakistani astronaut in upcoming short term missions aboard its Tiangong space station, in what is being seen as a landmark moment for space cooperation between the two countries.

According to China’s state news agency Xinhua, the astronaut from Pakistan will train alongside Chinese counterparts as part of the next phase of the country’s crewed spaceflight program. The decision underscores the deepening scientific and strategic collaboration between Islamabad and Beijing, extending their partnership beyond Earth.

The announcement came during a press conference for the Shenzhou-21 spaceflight mission at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Gansu province, attended by astronauts Zhang Hongzhang, Zhang Lu, and Wu Fei.

Analysts say the inclusion of a Pakistani astronaut highlights China’s ambition to position Tiangong as an inclusive international research platform and to foster deeper partnerships with friendly nations participating in the Belt and Road Initiative.

For Pakistan, the development marks a major step forward in its space ambitions. The collaboration will not only offer training and mission experience but also strengthen the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission’s (SUPARCO) technical capabilities.

The plan aligns with China’s broader strategy to open up its space program to partner countries and promote peaceful use of outer space. While timelines for the mission have not been publicly disclosed, Xinhua confirmed that preparations and joint astronaut training will begin ahead of the next Shenzhou mission cycle.

This marks the first time Pakistan will have a human representative participating in an orbital mission a milestone likely to deepen the technological and strategic ties between the two nations.